We are encouraged to acknowledge the fact that gender-related problems
will face us as
we pursue educational administrative careers.Our family, friends,
and professional peers can provide the wisdom and support we need
to lead with excellence.
One of the most exciting things about reading this book is its
application to our own lives: each administrator's story validates
our personal trials and tribulations, hard work, and desire to succeed
as women administrators in education. The authors, Dr. Sandra Gupton
and Dr. Gloria Slick, have provided an excellent service by presenting
the viewpoints, personal stories, lesson frustrations, and accomplishments
of successful female educational leaders. Using a strong research
base, the authors provide insight into a field which historically
is theorized and mandated by the viewpoints of White males.
To our knowledge, no other study of this type has focused upon
women in the educational power positions, the top executive administrators
in public education: high school principals, assistant superintendents,
and superintendents. The authors sagaciously note that women bring
with them a way of leading that is different from the traditional,
transactional style. The unique, and possibly natural, ability women
possess is required by today's administrators of reform. This book
provides a glimpse into the hearts and minds of the women behind
the text and encourages women administrators by stressing the need
today for a gentler, more values-oriented, integrative approach
to educational leadership.
Each chapter examines issues that women encounter on their journeys
into careers in educational administration in the maintenance of
their positions, and in their professional and personal growth.
In chapter 1, the authors note that being sensitive to the political
arena's perspective of women, as well as developing political awareness
of the system and how it functions, is imperative, Having the proper
credentials is only part of the preparation necessary for success
in the job, and does not guarantee acquiring or retaining a position.
Commonalities shared by female administrators indicate that one
must be prepared for challenges above and beyond what might be expected
of male counterparts. Another lesson indicated in the chapter is
that the journey to the top involves insight into both the personal
and transpersonal, as well as psychological and sociological, aspects
of our changing cultural milieu.
In chapter 2, women administrators call loudly to other women,
encouraging them to plan their careers. Each participant's story
resounds with the advice that career mapping is essential. Lack
of planning has kept many women from successfully reaching the top.
The authors indicate that it is important to have a blueprint for
your career and to use strategizing skills from the start. Networking
with others and learning from mentors can help seize opportunities
to grow and facilitate career advancement.
The third lesson reminds women that perseverance must prevail.
Several of the women who provided responses to the authors indicated
that they had little encouragement to pursue careers not traditionally
occupied by women. Cultural biases also abound, and the data indicates
that women in administration encounter numerous gender-related barriers.
Other issues of this chapter cluster around family responsibilities
and mobility problems which each woman overcame by tapping into
the ability to perservere.
In chapter 4, the issues of diligence and professionalism are stressed.
Gupton and Slick found that women frequently refer not only to having
a strong work ethic, but also to being willing and able to work
harder than their male counterparts in administrative positions.
Many women administrators feel that they still have to prove their
worth in a male-dominated environment. The authors also indicate
the need for women to hold fast to both a high priority of professionalism
and strength of character. Remembering to laugh, refusing to whine,
and keeping a professional, dedicated, positive attitude are essential
for women in leadership.
In chapter 5, the results of a November, 1995, USA Weekend reader
survey indicate that compassion, tolerance, responsibility, integrity,
and perseverance are highly valued by American families today. Interestingly,
the authors note that these same values and families today. Interestingly,
the authors note that these same values form the core characteristics
of women leaders who tell their stories in the book. The importance
of believing in oneself, adhering to one's values and maintaining
personal integrity despite political pressure is addressed. Most
of the women administrators surveyed acknowledged that they make
decisions in the best interests of the students.
In chapter 6, women are encouraged to network and support each
other. We are encouraged to acknowledge the fact that gender-related
problems will face us as we pursue educational administrative careers.
Our family, friends, and professional peers can provide the wisdom
and support we need to lead with excellence. Political savvy and
skill are also recognized as essential elements for success as leaders
in education.
The seventh lesson concerns the importance of both finding and
being a mentor. Specific mentoring strategies are outlined in order
to improve communication and to share the power of information.
Lifelong learning, risk-taking, envisioning, establishing priorities,
and reflecting are suggested to establish us as credible leaders.
The final lesson is to lead by example. One woman administrator
said that the ability to facilitate meetings, to resolve conflicts,
to problem solve with diverse groups, and to listen well have changed
the status of women in education. Women possess the attributes of
creativity, flexibility, and orientation toward people rather than
things.
This book is an important educational tool for any woman who is
considering, pursuing or currently working in an administrative
role, and it greatly enhance the contents of educational administration
courses. A very valuable resource, one should read it early in a
career. (It would have significantly influenced our career plans.)
The advice of others in this study has provided insights into career
planning, strategies for reaching goals, identification of the political
arena in an educational environment, and the means for establishing
a network base for managing the frustrations and obstacles which
can occur in a woman's administrative pursuits. After reading Gupton
and Slick's "pearls of wisdom", women will know that they can GO
FOR IT!
Kimberly Griffith is Assistant Professor for the Department
of Professional Pedagogy at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
E-mail: griffithkg@hal.Lamar.edu
Janice Thompson is Field Experiences Supervisor and former Acting
Assistant Director for Field Experiences at University of Southern
Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. E-mail: Janice.Thompson@USM.edu
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